City/County Digest

CITY/COUNTY DIGEST

The city Board of Estimates agreed yesterday to a developer's request that clears the way for a $33 million residential apartment building on downtown's west side.

The board agreed to sell land at Lombard and Howard streets to the developer for $1.25 million. The 30-year mortgage waives payments for 10 years before requiring 20 years of annual payments at 2 percent interest.

The board also approved a 15-year gradual increase in real estate taxes for the project, Market Center West Apartments - a 221-unit building that also will feature 2,700 square feet of street-level retail space and parking for 111 cars.

The developer is a joint venture of a company run by Robert L. Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television, and Quadrangle Development Corp. of Washington. They are the companies developing a $200 million, 750-room convention hotel downtown.

Women Who Care meets tonight to help needy girls

Women interested in helping girls in Baltimore are invited to attend a meeting of Women Who Care from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. today at Girl Scouts of Central Maryland, 4806 Seton Drive.

The group plans to develop programs helping girls in need in the city. Information: Gail Cuffie, 410-358-9711, Ext. 259.

Baltimore man, 24, killed in shooting in Edgewood

A Baltimore man died late Tuesday in Edgewood from a shotgun wound to the chest, authorities said.

Antonio Gerard Allen, 24, who appeared to have no fixed address in Baltimore, was pronounced dead after he was found by police in the 2000 block of Rockwell St. about midnight, said Edward Hopkins, a spokesman for the Harford County Sheriff's Office. Hopkins said investigators believe that the killing was drug-related.

Witnesses saw Allen surrounded by three to four people who fled the scene once the shot was fired, Hopkins said.

In Baltimore County

Group names first tenants of Colgate Business Park

DUNDALK - Industrial Realty Group announced yesterday that Weyerhauser Co. and Baltimore Packaging will be the first two tenants at the Colgate Business Park, a new warehouse-manufacturing-distribution center.

Ground was broken yesterday for the 89-acre center, on Rolling Mill Road in the North Point enterprise zone. The site is the former home of the Avesta Sheffield stainless-steel mill, which closed in 1998.

Industrial Realty of Los Angeles will be redeveloping 825,000 square feet of manufacturing, warehouse and distribution space, according to the Baltimore County Department of Economic Development.

Drunken driving victims vigil is rescheduled

OWINGS MILLS - The Candlelight Vigil of Hope and Remembrance, an event that honors victims of drunken driving, will be held Wednesday at the Baltimore County DWI/Correctional Treatment Facility.

The vigil was originally scheduled for last night but was postponed because of inclement weather. Among those expected to participate are the Baltimore County Department of Health, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Students Against Drunk Driving, the county police and fire departments and the county's Bureau of Substance Abuse.

The treatment facility is on the grounds of the Rosewood Center, 10225 Jensen Lane. Information: 410-887-3828.

State senator to discuss business issues, Assembly

LOCH RAVEN - Sen. James Brochin, a Baltimore County Democrat, will discuss issues that are likely to affect Maryland businesses in the coming General Assembly session at a meeting of the Loch Raven Business Association tonight.

The meeting will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Johnny Dee's Lounge, 1706 Joan Ave. in the Loch Ridge Shopping Center. Brochin is scheduled to speak at 6 p.m.